Valley of the Moon Winery

The Sonoma Valley was originally called the Valley of the Moon by the Mayacamas Indians that inhabited the valley long before General Mariano Vallejo laid claim to the land in the name of Mexico. Because of the mountains that surround both sides of the valley floor, the Indians thought there were many moons in the night sky. Today, we know Valley of the Moon as one of the top premium wineries in the Sonoma Valley.  

The history of the Valley of the Moon is as rich and deep as the soil in which its grapes are grown. The winery, the oldest in Glen Ellen, was founded by George Whitman in 1863. Over the years, it was owned by Eli T. Sheppard, a former Consul to China and George Hearst, a United States Senator and father of William Randolph Hearst. Following the prohibition years, the winery was revitalized in 1941 by Parducci and Domenici, two pioneer winegrowers and vintners, until 1956 when the Parducci family took sole control and renamed the winery Valley of the Moon. The family sold the winery to its current owner, F. Korbel & Bros. Inc. in 1997.

The tasting room and the grounds of the facility are home to some of the most beautiful vistas in the Sonoma Valley.  Plan to spend some time on the grounds and if you are hungry, a variety of charcuterie and cheeses are available in the tasting room for a picnic paired with some of the delicious wines.

Winemaker Greg Winter creates a unique flavor of California with his ultra-premium award winning Sonoma wines, embracing both time-honored winemaking tradition and state-of-the-art production.                        

By Mike Hyland

VARIETALS
Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Port, Pinot Blanc, Sangiovese, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Rosato di Sangiovese, Syrah, Cuvée de la Luna (red blend), Barbera, Petite Sirah, Sparkling Wine, Brandy

Tours
Free tours of the winemaking facilities are available daily at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Group Tours of 10-50 people are available by advance reservation $20/pp. Please call (707) 939-4520.

Tastings
Tasting fees are $10 per person. Hungry while tasting? Starting April 1, enjoy a cheese and charcuterie wine pairing for $25 with local artisanal cheeses and meats.